Week of March 3, 2014 MVCC joins Achieving the Dream initiative Signifying a strong commitment to 10th year of working to improve student student success and completion, MVCC success and completion rates across Achieving the Dream Colleges is one of 12 the country,” said Achieving the Dream institutions President and CEO William E. Trueheart. • Calhoun Community College (AL) selected this “MVCC represents a diverse group of • Cowley College (KS) year into the students whose success means much • Georgia NW Technical College Achieving the more than just a personal goal secured. • Grayson College (TX) Dream Na- It means improved skills, better employ- • McLennan Community College (TX) tional Reform ability, and economic growth for their • Mohawk Valley Community College Network. MVCC was welcomed into community and our nation as a whole.” • North Georgia Technical College the network at Achieving the Dream’s “Achieving the Dream is a nationwide • Savannah Technical College DREAM 2014 conference, and will im- effort to increase community college • West Georgia Technical College mediately begin the challenging work of graduation rates,” said Oneida County • West Hills College Lemoore (CA) identifying and implementing evidence- Executive Anthony Picente Jr., MVCC • W. Kentucky Comm & Tech College based strategies for closing achievement class of ’84. “As Oneida County and • Western Technical College (WI) gaps and increasing student retention, MVCC continue to prepare the workforce persistence, and completion rates. The for the future this is an important next selection makes MVCC the first among step and we are proud to take part in it.” the State University of New York’s 30 “Mohawk Valley Community College is community colleges to participate in proud to be the first of the community col- gaining statewide and even national no- Achieving the Dream. leges in SUNY to join the Achieving the tice for its economic momentum, our col- “We are delighted to welcome MVCC Dream National Reform Network,” said lege is making the great institution-wide into the Achieving the Dream National Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D., President commitment to become a SUNY leader in Reform Network as we celebrate our of MVCC. “Just as our community is student success and equity.” What is the Achieving the Dream model? Each new college will commit to the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. Based on four principles, the Model frames the overall work of helping Blog outlines strategic agenda more students, particularly low-income students and students MVCC is taking big steps to integrate its new initiatives, of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. external trends, and existing programs under a new strate- Each college will approach the work differently, but Achieving gic plan that makes student success our No. 1 priority. The the Dream’s five-step process will provide practical guide- outcome: A simpler, more focused approach to leading the lines for helping keep the focus where it belongs and building college through a period of change, with the plan as the momentum over time. Throughout the process, Achieving the single axis around which all other priorities are aligned. Dream Coaches will offer customized support and help each This is the message of the latest President’s Blog, posted college’s core team implement data-informed programs and last week by President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D. To policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to learn more about where MVCC is heading under its new student success. Learn more about the Model at http://www. strategic planning process, visit http://mvcc-edu.blogspot. achievingthedream.org/approach/institutional_change. com and check back often for regular updates about how Achieving the Dream, Inc. is a national nonprofit leading the Achieving the Dream, increasing graduation rates, and local nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network economic advances fit in. for student success in higher education history. The Achiev- ing the Dream National Reform Network, including over 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams - working throughout 34 states and the District of have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity Columbia - helps nearly 4 million community college students and achieving their dreams.

Communitas 1 Olympian Erin Hamlin to address 2014 Commencement

Erin Hamlin will deliver the keynote address at Mohawk Val- ley Community College’s Spring Commencement, which will be held Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m., at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. A three-time Olympian, Hamlin is the first-ever American to medal in singles . The theme of Hamlin’s remarks to MVCC graduates and their families will be, “You’re never too small to hit the big stage.” “Erin Hamlin is a great local success story and an inspira- tion,” said MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D. “We are honored that she will be speaking to reflect on the accom- plishments and potential of our graduating class of 2014.” Hamlin opened her luging career in 2005. Her first major international victory was the gold medal in the women’s singles event at the 2009 FIL World Luge Championship in Lake Placid, NY. Hamlin’s victory marked the first time in 99 races that a German woman was not the top finisher. Hamlin finished 12th in the women’s singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in . She was selected in December 2009 to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in , and named Athlete of the Year by USA Luge multiple times. Her bronze-medal finish in was part of an historic seven-medal haul by the USA sliders, a high-water mark for the team that has set even loftier goals for the . Hamlin is a native of Remsen, New York. Her parents, Eilleen (’81) and Ron (’86) Hamlin, are MVCC alumni. More information on Erin Hamlin can be found at Twitter@ ErinHamlin, Facebook.com/OfficialErinHamlin, and ErinHamlin. com. MVCC Welcomes NASA TINES Program The Center for Corporate and Community Education and the STEM Center is pleased to welcome the TINES (Teach- ing Inquiry using NASA Earth System Science) program to the MVCC Campus this summer. Representatives from TINES, Deanna TeBockhorst of Colo- rado State University, and Todd Ellis, Principal Investigator from SUNY Oneonta, conducted their site visit at MVCC on Thurs- day and Friday, February 27-28. TINES is a NASA grant-funded program geared toward K-12 teachers. This week-long training program provides teachers with cutting-edge NASA resources that they can use in their class- rooms. This specialized training has only been conducted at two other locations in the country: North Carolina and Colorado. The training program will take place during the week of August 18. During that week, 22 teachers from all over New York State will find their way to MVCC and ers will receive room and board at the Radisson, a stipend for Did You Know? conduct their work on completing the projects, which will occur over a year’s time, a campus. Specifically, travel stipend, and the opportunity to apply for $600 in equip- Fall-to-fall retention the training will focus ment to use in their classrooms. of 1st-time, full- on remote sens- To coordinate the project, CCED is working closely with the time, matriculated ing (NASA satel- STEM Center, Marketing and Communications, and Sodexho. students dropped lites), the GLOBE Assistant Professor Lindsey Geary will also help out with in- from 58.8% for Fall- program, S’COOL, structing some field-based portions of the program. and My NASA DATA To participate in the program, teachers must complete a 2007 to 52.4% for as well as the NSTA simple application, due by the end of May 2014. For more in- Fall-2011? Learning Center. As a formation, contact Carolyn DeJohn, Coordinator of Community part of this grant, teach- Education, at 315.792.5300 or at [email protected].

2 Communitas MVCC hosts Spring Dinners with Distinction There is a lot cooking on the Rome Campus of Mohawk Valley Community College as the Hospitality Management Program heats up its annual Spring 2014 Dinners with Distinction Series. The dinner cuisines are designed to give MVCC’s culinary arts students a cre- ative outlet for their classroom work. The themes, menus, recipes and food pro- duction are the endeavors of the Banquet and Catering class, Dining Room Service class, and the Baking class. Students will be creating food to delight the palate and an ambiance to soothe the spirits. The Dinners with Distinction dates and themes are: • Wednesday, March 26, featuring a MVCC’s Brigham elected as Regional Ft. Stanwix Local Heritage theme. • Wednesday, April 16, featuring an Vice President at PTK convention East Coast Cuisine theme. The New York Region of Phi Theta College Project and third most distin- • Wednesday, April 30, featuring a Kappa hosted its annual convention in guished officer team in a field of more West Coast Cuisine theme. Corning on February 28-March 2. The than 50 chapters. Their award-winning The cost for each of these dinners, Lambda Beta chapter from MVCC trav- college project was the “From Course to which includes several courses, is $23 eled there to celebrate the year’s hard Career” event they hosted in November, per person and reservations are required. work with other chapters and share ideas which connected students with local busi- Seating begins at 5:45 p.m. with dinner for continued growth in the four hallmarks ness leaders for advice and guidance on service beginning at 6 p.m. of the organization; scholarship, leader- majors and career preparation. Finally, For more information or to make a res- ship, fellowship and service. Steve Frisbee was honored as the most ervation, contact the Hospitality Manage- At the convention two MVCC students, distinguished advisor in the region for his ment Program at 334-7702 or by email- Kaitlyn Nortz and Madeline Mazloom over 10 years of dedicated service. ing [email protected]. finished their terms as regional officers This year’s outstanding chapter is led as did MVCC alum Carlos Pulquerio. by officer-team Keari Little (President), Elizabeth Brigham, a recent inductee, was Nina Nguyen (VP of Fellowship), Ariana Volunteers elected to a term as Regional Vice Presi- Pajazetovic (VP of Leadership), Alyssa dent for the Northern District for 13-14. Ursi (VP of Scholarship), and Madison Additionally, the chapter was recog- Vitale (VP of Service). The chapter is needed for nized as once again maintaining its continuing this semester with several five-star status and being one of the top service projects, scholarship workshops, NanoDays chapters in the region. Lambda Beta was an honors in action project, a trip to the MVCC is hosting NanoDays, a nation- recognized as having the top Yearbook International Convention in Orlando, and wide festival of educational programs and Digital Media (their Facebook page), hosting the Honors Brunch the morning about nanoscale science and engineer- and having the third most distinguished of May Commencement. ing, on Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29, and we need volunteers! Healthcare Leadership Institute implemented NanoDays engages people of all ages in learning about this field of science, CCED implemented its first Healthcare Leadership Institute. The institute offers which holds the promise of developing healthcare providers a chance to remain current on topics and network with other revolutionary materials and technologies. healthcare providers. No prior nano knowledge is required! Gail Warchol, Healthcare Careers Coordinator, met with various community health- A fun training session will be available care educators to discuss the needs in the community and together developed for volunteers. The event will take place the content as discussions prevailed. This 10-month institute is designed to help both days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the IT healthcare facilities enhance leadership at all levels from Doctor’s, RN’s, Therapist, Building Lobbies on the Utica Campus. and Case Managers to Bookkeepers, Coders, IT Specialist, Medical Assistant and Volunteers can sign up for as many half- Recreational staff. The goal of this program is to have our community offer the best hour time slots as they wish. To volun- healthcare it can by improving customer satisfaction. More and more, reimbursement teer, register at the link below. Please depends on customer satisfaction; therefore providing an enriched, safe environment use your full first and last name when that is effective and efficient is crucial. signing up. For more information email Institutions are able to send different employees each month (up to 2 people per Bob Decker at [email protected]. session). The institute started in October 2013 and will end July 2014. The institute will start again in the fall 2014. http://doodle.com/vxc298stizcpxb8e

Communitas 3 Hawks Second in NATYCAA Cup As the winter athletic season begins to wind Athlete of the Week down, it was announced that the Mohawk Valley Community College Hawks are in Justin Shaver is throwing himself into the second place after the fall sports season in MVCC record books as he qualified for the the NATYCAA Cup. Initiated in 2004, this NJCAA National Indoor award recognizes excellence and diversity Track Championships in two-year college athletics at the na- last week at the Region III tional level. Championships. MVCC won the inaugural cup and has For this accomplish- never finished lower than eighth place in ment, Shaver was named the history of the award. MVCC Athlete of the Week The Hawks scored 53 points at nation- for February 23. al championship events during the fall Shaver qualified in the sports season and trail only Glouces- 35-pound weight throw Shaver ter County College in the standings. with a distance of 51 feet, Ocean County, SUNY Delhi, and Fash- 2 ¼ inches. The NJCAA Indoor Track and ion Institute of Technology round out the Field Championships will be held at the top five colleges. Armory in New York City the weekend of The National Alliance of Two-Year College March 7 and 8. Athletic Administrators is the only professional organization that Shaver is a Carpentry and Masonry major represents all two-year institutions of higher education in the who graduated from Honeoye High School. United States for athletic administrators. Established in 1987, the organization is dedicated to the con- tinuing growth and development of two-year college athletics and the individuals involved through an exchange of informa- tion, monitoring of legislation, promotion of academic excel- lence, increasing communication between organizations, and encouraging a high degree of integrity in all endeavors. Rome Career Fair connects job seekers with employers “I always enjoy this one,” lauded Joan Marquette, Employ- ment Coordinator at Rome Memorial Hospital. Marquette was referring to Mohawk Valley Community Col- lege’s Career Services’ Rome Campus Career Fair that took place on Thursday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Plumley Complex Atrium. This event provided an opportunity for students and job seek- ers to connect with potential employers. There were more than 15 employers on hand to discuss employment opportunities within their organizations, benefits, job requirements, skills be- ing sought, prerequisites and much more. Employers who were on hand included Turning Stone Ca- sino, Rome City Hall, Midair USA, and many more. Kelly Roman, a Park Ranger at Fort Stanwix National Monu- ment, had glowing reviews about the event. “The Fair was fun! It was totally worthwhile for Fort Stanwix National Monument to participate,” said Roman. Furthermore, Roman was equally impressed with the eager- ness and excitement of students and community members who showed interest in getting involved: “I talked to more than 20 interested people…they were equally interested in volunteering as they were finding a job.” Rome Student Services and Career Services look forward to building on this event next year. The campus community should keep their eyes out for Submit information for Communitas Career Services next event “Job Fair Extraordinaire” on April 2, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the Jorgensen Athletics and Events to [email protected] Center.

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